Microscope slide carrier assembly

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a microscope slide carrier assembly with a method for retaining patient material in the form of requisitions, reports, consultations, worksheets and routinely associated paperwork related to slides with stained peripheral blood, body fluid or biopsy slides requiring a microscopic review by pathologists. The record compartment is three-sided enclosed compartment, is permanently attached to the bottom of a microscope slide tray ensuring that all pertinent paperwork and stained material remain intact during review or transportation.

[0001] This invention relates to a microscope slide carrier, and moreparticularly to a microscope slide carrier assembly having a recordpocket integral with a microscope slide carrier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In medical treatment and research, microscope slides are veryuseful. Tissue or other samples are placed on a microscope slide andsecured thereto. These slides may then permit the sample thereon to bestudied and to have an appropriate diagnosis.

[0003] Typical material or samples for display on a slide includestained peripheral blood, body fluid or tissue biopsies. Other materialmay also be displayed. Such slides are displayed in a slide tray.Paperwork relating to the slides is stored elsewhere, which is, at best,inconvenient; and, at worst, dangerous.

[0004] Conventional slide trays or folders do not provide the capabilityof securing the patient's printed materials, records or otherrequisitions with their slides. Often, the printed material is placedunderneath one section of the cover or directly on top of the closedfolder, often resulting in the intermixing or loss of patient's printedmaterial records.

[0005] With a standard microscopic slide tray or folder, a series ofsmall, individually numbered, recessed compartments are used for theretention of the slides. Each compartment receives a single slide. Twocovers, when closed, are positioned such that the slides cannot betouched, thus maintaining the slides in a relatively safe environment.This slide tray has the very desirable result of keeping a groupdirected to a particular case or project together. With the slides kepttogether, it is much easier to evaluate the case or project and proceedappropriately.

[0006] However, the slide carrier of the prior art is suitable only forcarrying slides. It is desirable to have any paperwork, relating to themicroscope slides, with the slide carrier. This paperwork can clarifythe slide to be reviewed, as well as direct the researcher or thephysician to the appropriate slide. Thus, it is desired to haveappropriate paperwork connected to the slide carrier. With prior artdevices, this is difficult to do.

[0007] Use of an envelope containing both the slide carrier and thepaper work can be a complicated matter. The integrity of the envelopmust be maintained in order to secure both the slides and supportingdocuments, while maintaining easy access thereto. An envelop structuremakes this difficult to do.

[0008] Another severe problem with the envelop is a potential, reportingerror resulting from intermixed paperwork. Paperwork in the wrongenvelop or with the wrong slide carrier causes great difficulties. Withthe envelop contributing such a mix-up, the paperwork problems are verysubstantially exacerbated.

[0009] It is very desirable to avoid those problems. It is better if apaper carrier is integrally attached to the slide carries, such that thepaper can be held in an efficient manner without adding greatly to thebulk of the slide carrier.

[0010] Another problem involves the stacking of the slide trays for orduring review. The stack of trays can have a problem. Thus, a stackingassist for the slide trays can be useful.

[0011] Paperwork and microscope slides do not mix well. If paperwork isplaced under the tray cover and on or adjacent to the slide itself,adherence therebetween can result. Such adherence can damage both theslide and the paper, and even result in the loss of a slide.

[0012] A further problem is the reluctance of a hospital or laboratoryto replace equipment. Such reluctance extends to even replacement ofslide trays. It is therefor desirable to modify an existing slidefolder, and minimize replacement difficulties.

[0013] The lack of an assembly to keep reports with a slide trayinterferes with valuable quality control procedures. With the slide andrecords required to be separated, the chance for reporting errorsincreases geometrically. Such errors must be minimized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of amicroscope slide carrier with a paper carrier secured thereto.

[0015] A further objective of this invention is the provision of a slidecarrier with a cover for the microscope slides contained in the slidecarrier.

[0016] Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of aslide carrier with papers related to the slides contained therewith.

[0017] A still further objective of this invention is the provision of acontainer to retain patient forms with their slides during review,consultation, study and temporary storage.

[0018] Also, objective of this invention is the provision of a containerto prevent slides from sticking to the patient's printed material as aresult of microscope oil used for viewing cover slipping material.

[0019] Another objective of this invention is the provision of acontainer to minimize damage to loss of patient slides.

[0020] Still another objective of this invention is the provision of acontainer to reduce reporting error resulting from intermixed paperwork.

[0021] Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of acontainer to provide stability when stacking of individual trays for orduring review.

[0022] Still, another objective of this invention is the provision of acontainer to be adaptable as a modification of an existing slide folder.

[0023] These and other objectives of the invention (which otherobjectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claimsand drawings as a whole) are met by providing a microscope slidecarrier, with a paper holder and an optional slide cover to protect theslides in the carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of the microscope slidecarrier assembly 100 of this invention having an open record sleeve 120with slide carrier 110.

[0025]FIG. 2 depicts a front perspective view of the microscope slidecarrier assembly 100 of this invention having an open record sleeve 120,with a slide cover assembly 130.

[0026]FIG. 3 depicts a front perspective view of the microscope slidecarrier assembly 100 of this invention, with a closeable record sleeve140 secured to slide carrier 110.

[0027]FIG. 4 depicts a front perspective view of the microscope slidecarrier assembly 100, as a modified version of FIG. 3.

[0028]FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the microscope slide carrierassembly 100, with a sliding drawer 160.

[0029]FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the microscope slide carrierassembly 100, with a record compartment 170.

[0030]FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the microscope slide carrierassembly 100, with a removable record sleeve 180.

[0031]FIG. 8 depicts an exploded, perspective view of two of themicroscope slide carrier assembly 100, with a stacking support 200.

[0032] Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same partappears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number isapplied thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] A microscope slide carrier assembly includes a report orpaperwork compartment combined with a microscopic slide carrier. Thecompartment is adapted to hold reports, which are related to microscopeslides. The slide carrier holds a plurality of microscope slides relatedto a project or a patient.

[0034] Thus, a method for containing different types of patientinformation together is obtained. A device or an assembly is providedwith a holder, which retains patient material in the form ofrequisitions, reports, consultations, worksheets or other paperworkroutinely associated with microscope slide material. Such slides mayhave thereon stained peripheral blood, body fluid or tissue biopsies,which require a microscopic review, for example, by a pathologist.

[0035] With the slide tray, this invention concerns and provides acompartment capable of holding printed material associated with thepatients slides to be reviewed. Such information is printed, orotherwise charted or provided, on any standard paper, which paper maythen be inserted into the appropriate compartment.

[0036] The compartment is preferably three sided, and connected by aflat top panel and a flat bottom panel in order to effectively containthe printed material associated with the patient slides for review. Thefront of the compartment has an opening for the insertion of the desiredprinted materials. The compartment is attached to the bottom of a slidefolder as to maintain the ability of quick identification of the slidesthrough the clear top folder covers.

[0037] Typical of the paperwork desired for use with microscope slidecarrier are retaining printed reports, forms, requisitions andworksheets associated with patient slides requiring a microscopicreview. With the compartment attached to the slide carrier, the recitedpaperwork or other desired information can be kept with the slides.

[0038] In a preferred form, the height of the compartment is up to aboutone centimeter or approximately 0.25 inch. Such a structure can hold asignificant amount of material, without destroying the compact nature ofthe slide tray or folder. The depth of the compartment is up to about 20centimeters or approximately 8.5 inches, which allows the reviewer theability to quickly grasp or retrieve the printed material.

[0039] Many variants are possible, including materials used andattachment of the compartment, without any departure from the spirit ofthe invention.

[0040] The paperwork appliance or holder is a three-sided enclosedcompartment, which is permanently attached to the bottom of a microscopeslide tray. Such a structure ensures that all pertinent paperwork andstained material remain intact during review or transportation. Suchpermanent attachment may be accomplished by glue, adhesives strips,molding, or other methods or devices.

[0041] The slide carrier includes a left slide bank and a right slidebank. The left slide bank is covered by a left cover flap the rightslide bank is covered by the right cover flap. On the reverse side ofthe slide carrier is a data record slot. Into the record data slot areprovided the records. The records can then be covered by slide bankcover flap. In this fashion, records and slides are contained togetherand appropriate action can be taken to keep the records and the slidestogether.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 1, microscope slide carrier assembly 100has an open record sleeve 120 cooperating with slide carrier 110. Slidecarrier 110 supports a plurality of slides 112 therein, on top surface114 thereof. On the bottom surface 116 of slide carrier 110 is securedopen sleeve 120. Open sleeve 120 has three closed sides, including firstclosed side 122, second closed side 124, and third closed side 126 Openside 128 may receive papers 118, relating to slides 112. First closedside 122 is oppositely disposed from third closed side 126. Secondclosed side 124 is oppositely disposed from open side 128.

[0043] Adding FIG. 2 to the consideration, microscope slide carrierassembly 100 of FIG. 1 has added thereto slide cover assembly 130. Slidecover assembly includes first flap cover 132 for slides 112 and secondflap cover 134. First flap cover 132 and second flap cover 134 combineto cover all of slides 112, in order to provide additional protectiontherefor. First flap cover 132 is hingedly secured to second closed side124 at top surface 114. Second flap cover 134 is hingedly secured toopen side 128 at top surface 114.

[0044] With the addition of FIG. 3 microscope slide carrier assembly 100of this invention, has a closeable record sleeve 140 secured to slidecarrier 110. First flap cover 132 of FIG. 2 is secured to second closedside 124 and, thereby, protects part of slides 112. Second flap cover134 of FIG. 2 is replaced with foldable flap cover 142. Foldable flapcover 142 is secured to open side 128 at bottom surface 116. Foldableflap cover 142 includes a folding crease 144, which provides a flapportion 146 adapted to close open side 128.

[0045] Foldable flap cover 142 extends from folding crease 144 intoright slide cover 148. Right slide cover 148 cooperates with first flapcover 132 to protect slides 112. A hook and loop assembly 150 can beused to secure right slide cover 148 and first flap cover 132 to topsurface 114.

[0046]FIG. 4 has the microscope slide carrier assembly 100 provides amodified version of FIG. 3, in that right slide cover 148 is replacedwith extended slide cover 152. Extended cover 152 eliminates the needfor first flap cover 132, by covering all of slides 112. Any cover forslides 112 may be transparent, translucent or opaque as desired.

[0047] In FIG. 5, the microscope slide carrier assembly 100 has asliding drawer 160 to receive records. Sliding drawer 160 is receivedinto open side 128. With grip notch 162, sliding drawer 160 may be movedin and out of open sleeve 120 as desired. Drawer 160 includes open top164 for receipt of records or papers 118. When drawer 160 is enclosedwithin open sleeve 120, bottom surface 116 at open side 128 protectspapers 118 therein.

[0048] In FIG. 6, drawer 160 is replaced in microscope slide carrierassembly 100 with a record compartment 170. Record compartment 170 movesin a sliding manner relative to slide carrier 110 and replaces opensleeve 120 as shown in FIG. 5. This slotted relation 174 between theslide carrier 110 and the record compartment 170 provides the relativesliding, therebetween.

[0049]FIG. 7 has the microscope slide carrier assembly 100, with aremovable record sleeve 180. Removable record sleeve 180 hassubstantially the same area as bottom surface 116. On slide carrier 110is a carrier fastener assembly 182 adapted to cooperate with sleevefastener assembly 184 on removable record sleeve 180. Carrier fastenerassembly 182 and sleeve fastener assembly 184 are preferably acooperating hook and loop assembly. However, other assemblies such assnap or clip assembly may be used as desired.

[0050]FIG. 8 has two of the microscope slide carrier assembly 100, witha stacking support 200. On the bottom panel 202 of one microscope slidecarrier assembly 100 are four female indentations 204 serving as part ofstacking support 200. On the top panel 206 of the second microscopeslide carrier assembly 100 are four male indentations 210 serving aspart of stacking support 200. Clearly each of the four femaleindentations 204 are adapted to receive one each of the four maleindentations 210 and provide for efficient stacking of at least onemicroscope slide carrier assembly 100 with at least a second of thesecond microscope slide carrier assembly 100. Other versions of stackingsupport 200 are usable herewith, in view of this disclosure.

[0051] This application—taken as a whole with the abstract,specification, claims, and drawings being combined—provides sufficientinformation for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practicethe invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary topractice this invention are well within the skill of a person havingordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study ofthis disclosure.

[0052] Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure,modification of this method and device can become clear to a personhaving ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications areclearly covered by this disclosure.

What is claimed and sought to be protected by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:
 1. A microscope slide carrier assembly for carryingslides and holding records comprising: (a) a slide carrier being adaptedto hold a plurality of microscope slides; (b) a compartment beingadapted to contain at least one sheet of paper; and (c) the slidecarrier and the compartment being joined together.
 2. The microscopeslide carrier assembly of claim 1 further comprising the slide carrierand the compartment being removably joined together.
 3. The microscopeslide carrier assembly of claim 1 further comprising the slide carrierand the compartment being permanently joined together.
 4. The microscopeslide carrier assembly of claim 1 further comprising: (a) thecompartment having three closed sides and an open side; and (b) the atleast one sheet of paper having thereon information related to themicroscope slides.
 5. The microscope slide carrier assembly of claim 4further comprising a compartment closing means adapted to close the openside.
 6. The microscope slide carrier assembly of claim 4 furthercomprising: (a) the compartment having a flat top and a flat bottompanel; (b) the three closed sides joining the flat top panel and theflat bottom panel; (c) the flat top panel being adjacent to the slidecarrier; and (d) the flat bottom panel forming an outer surface of themicroscope slide carrier assembly.
 7. The microscope slide carrierassembly of claim 4 further comprising: (a) the compartment having aflat top and a flat bottom panel; (b) the three closed sides joining theflat top panel and the flat bottom panel; (c) the flat top panel forminga bottom slide panel of the slide carrier; and (d) the flat bottom panelforming an outer surface of the microscope slide carrier assemblyassembly.
 8. The microscope slide carrier assembly of claim 2 furthercomprising: (a) the compartment having a flat top and a flat bottompanel; (b) the three closed sides joining the flat top panel and theflat bottom panel; (c) the flat top panel being adjacent to the slidecarrier; (d) the flat bottom panel forming an outer surface of themicroscope slide carrier assembly; and (e) a releasable fastening meanssecuring the compartment to the slide carrier.
 9. The microscope slidecarrier assembly of claim 8 further comprising the releasable fasteningmeans being at least one selected from the group consisting of a hookand loop assembly, a snap assembly and a clip assembly.
 10. Themicroscope slide carrier assembly of claim 9 further comprising thereleasable fastening means being a hook and loop assembly.
 11. Themicroscope slide carrier assembly of claim 3 further comprising thepermanent fastening means being at least one selected from theconsisting of a series of adhesive strips, permanent glue, and molding.12. The microscope slide carrier assembly of claim 1 further comprising:(a) the compartment having a height of up to about one centimeter; (b)the microscope slide carrier assembly including a stacking means. (c)the compartment having a depth of up to about 20 centimeters.
 13. Amicroscope slide carrier assembly for retaining printed reports, forms,requisitions and worksheets associated with patient slides requiring amicroscopic review comprising a three-sided compartment with alengthwise opening for easy insertion of printed material secured to aslide carrier in order to form the microscope slide carrier assembly.14. The microscope slide carrier assembly of claim 13 furthercomprising: (a) the three sided compartment being constructed as part ofthe microscope slide carrier assembly in a complete unit; (b) thecomplete unit including a top member and a bottom member; (c) the topmember including the microscope slide carrier with a clear folding; and(d) the bottom member completing the three-sided compartment forcontainment of printed material.